Hear from other small business owners just like you and see how partnering with the Illinois Small Business Development Center and Illinois APEX Accelerator at Champaign County EDC has helped them reach their potential.
Have you worked with our Center & want to share your Success Story?
Fill out the submission form here.
Delight Flower Farm
Maggie Taylor, Owner
Delight Flower Farm, owned by Maggie Taylor, is a local business that offers fresh cut flowers, plant starts, bulbs & tubers, seasonal wreaths, herbal teas, on-farm dinners, workshops, and more. Maggie first sought guidance from the Illinois Small Business Development Center at Champaign County EDC in 2023 when she was looking to expand her team.
Since that initial meeting, Maggie has worked with various advisors and consultants to continue growing her business. She has taken part in a Social Media Audit with Clanin Creative, a Brand Refresh with Clanin Creative, and the Small Business Photo Program with Anna Longworth Photography.
Through the Brand Refresh, Delight Flower Farm worked with the Clanin Creative team to create new brand guidelines and a logo with fresh colors and imaging. Complimenting that process was the Small Business Photo Program where Anna Longworth-Singer captured photos of the farm, the farm stand, work happening on the farm, and the staff. Maggie shared that this has helped with the image of the farm and keeping up with current trends.
When asked about working with the SBDC and various programs offered, Maggie stated, “Working with the SBDC has been so supportive for my small business. Being able to work with a professional marketing team and photographer makes my business stand out and levels up my professionalism as well. I’m very grateful to the SBDC for guidance on grant applications, the branding refresh, photography and overall business support. It’s a great organization to work with!”
Associated Transfer & Storage, Inc.
Matt Williams, President & COO
Matt Williams, President & COO of Associated Transfer & Storage, a warehousing and distribution company based in Champaign County since 1959, first connected with the Illinois Small Business Development Center at Champaign County EDC to learn more about the resources available.
Through different discussions with the SBDC team, Matt was able to utilize the Website Audit program with the local marketing agency, Clanin Creative. This program allowed the Associated Transfer & Storage team to work with Scott Clanin to survey their website to see how it was performing, what could be upgraded, how customers were utilizing it, if it represented their brand & services well, and much more. Because of this program, Matt and his team were able to make necessary updates to the site.
When asked about the experience of working with the SBDC and on a Website Audit program, Matt shared “We have a brand-new website that is modern and up to date. It is simpler to read and find information and looks a lot sleeker! We get more traffic through our chat-now feature and customers can easily contact us with any questions they have.”
The 4th Distribution
Samuel Stidwell IV, CEO
Samuel Stidwell IV the CEO of The 4th Distribution, a construction materials supplier of drywall, acoustical ceiling tile, steel framing, site furnishings, structural steel, doors, frames, and hardware, originally worked with Illinois APEX Accelerator at Champaign County EDC Director, Keli Krueger-Huhra. Samuel heard about the APEX through a federal government contracting coaching program. By working with Keli, Samuel was connected with Illinois SBDC at Champaign County EDC Director, Madeleine Wolske.
Because of being connected to the SBDC, Samuel was informed about a grant opportunity with the City of Champaign. Samuel applied for the funds and was ultimately awarded a grant. Samuel has also received assistance with bidding platforms, financing opportunities, and more.
When asked about the impact of the advising he received, Samuel shared, “The grant has been especially impactful. In addition to just the joy of winning a grant, it has been helpful in the slow period in my business. Although the projects that we’ve landed show great growth, they all seem to really kick off later in the year. One purchase that I used the grant for that I am very proud of is business apparel. I wear it every time I get the chance. I’ve also begun upgrades to our website, and I’ve been attending more paid networking events. The business revenue has also grown exponentially since opening in 2020.”
The 4th Distribution serves contractors statewide and is looking to expand its team and in the near future, expand through acquisition of like-businesses. Samuel plans on continuing to work with the SBDC and APEX Accelerator as his business grows and evolves.
The Vortex
Alicia Moody, Founder
Alicia Moody, Founder of The Vortex, first contacted the Illinois Small Business Development Center at Champaign County EDC in April 2025 as she was looking for assistance in creating a consistent client stream, how to turn local buzz into something, and creating a clear path forward.
Alicia worked directly with Director, Madeleine Wolske, and shared, “One of the biggest moments for me was when you helped me see that what I do isn’t “just design.” You connected the dots between branding, storytelling, and actual economic development, and you showed me that my work was already affecting local businesses, awareness, and even talent attraction. That completely reframed everything.”
Since becoming an SBDC client, Alicia has been able to go full-time with her business, launch a podcast that booked two+ months out, add new clients, build deeper relationships with community leaders, and have larger conversations about the work she does. In the next 6-12 months, Alicia plans to scale her podcast, The Table, through sponsorships & partnerships, run visibility campaigns for local organizations, grow The Vortex into a regional platform for creative and economic storytelling, and so much more.
When asked about what working with the SBDC meant to her, Alicia said, “If I had to sum up what the SBDC has done for me, I’d say it gave me clarity, strategy, and a sense of direction I didn’t have before. It didn’t just help me start a business. It helped me understand what kind of business I’m actually building.”
TAKE THE FIRST STEP
Unleashing the power of your small business is one click away.
Are you ready to unleash the power of your business?
Contact the Illinois Small Business Development Center
at Champaign County EDC. We’re ready to help.